About CMU Qatar

History and Traditions

History

A Global Impact

In its 115 years, Carnegie Mellon has soared to national and international leadership in higher education and research. A birthplace of innovation since its founding, it continues to be known for innovation, for solving real-world problems and for interdisciplinary collaboration.

Its alumni can be found across the globe, among them are Nobel Prize and Turing Award winners, CEOs, entrepreneurs, professors and artists.

In the 2000s, in response to demand for expanded international educational opportunities, Carnegie Mellon began offering degree programs outside of Pittsburgh. In 2003, Qatar Foundation invited Carnegie Mellon to join Education City, a groundbreaking center for scholarship and research. Carnegie Mellon University in Qatar opened its doors in 2004 with 41 students. Today, students from 40 different countries enroll at CMU’s world-class facilities in Doha.

Traditions

CMU-Q has developed its own traditions that recognize the culture of CMU, as well as the unique character of the Qatar campus.

Class Tile

At convocation, the incoming class is presented with a tile engraved with the graduation year. When the class graduates, the tile is returned to the dean and then installed in the front walkway of the CMU-Q building.

Plaid Stole

Convocation is a university tradition that welcomes new students and their families to Carnegie Mellon. For the ceremony, first-year students wear the robe and graduation stole that they will wear again at their graduation.

Graduation

At the graduation ceremony, students wear a tartan stole with the traditional cap and gown. Graduates who have earned academic awards wear additional regalia. The Qatar Campus Scholars wear a silver stole, and the Andrew Carnegie Scholar wears a red stole.

Qatar National Day

Each year, the Qatari Students Association hosts a celebration of the history and culture of Qatar. The evening includes a sword dance, samples of Qatari food, a falcon demonstration and traditional Qatari games and activities.

International Day

There are more than three dozen nationalities represented in the CMU-Q student body, and International Day is a student-run event that celebrates this cultural diversity. Students wear traditional dress, participate in cultural dancing and singing and share cuisine from all over the world.

Tarnival

The students, faculty, staff and alumni of CMU-Q celebrate the Tartan carnival each fall to play games, have fun and enjoy the cooler weather.